What are the initiatives you plan to launch, with this year’s proceeds?

We have 5 training modules — the push is toward social enterprise — to teach them to generate income that’s sustainable for themselves and the centre, too. The 5 skills include packaging and assemblt, cleaning, handicrafts and vegetable farming.

How will The Melium Group x Malaysia Tatler charity auction improve Daybreak’s facilities?

With the money, we hope to replace all our sewing machines, which are over 20 years old, and we want to expand our production department by investing in special, adjustable work tables that can cater to different heights of the disabled workers, that will help with bigger production runs.

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Established in 1982, WAO has taken in women and children who face abuse, with free shelter, counselling and crisis support. The human-rights centric organisation has strived to eradicate domestic violence by educating society on the appropriate way to resolve family matters, among other things. Its efforts has paid off through various recognitions, including the launch of an SMS helpline, TINA. Its president, Carol Chin, brings us up to speed on the organisation’s current progress.

 What is WAO advocating for?

WAO advocates for women’s rights, and first and foremost, provides shelter to abused women, as well as equality for all. All women need to be empowered and given opportunities to blossom and be future CEOs — I think there’s always a glass ceiling that’s creating obstacles in our lives, be it personal or career-wise, that somehow doesn’t give women equal chances.

How has WAO used the proceeds for the organisation’s benefit?

Besides upkeeping our shelter, we were able to successfully lobby for amendments to the Domestic Violence Act 2017. This helps survivors of domestic violence to get their own emergency protection order, and obtain it easily.

What is the best and most effective way for society to help WAO’s advocacy?

Donate, donate, and donate. Join us whenever we set up public booths, participate in our warranty programs and become a member. We welcome male members too — we do have male members, but not in droves. We hope to grow the number, to welcome every one as members in future.

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The founder of Yayasan Chow Kit, Dr Hartini Zainudin, first started as a volunteer at Yayasan Salam in 2005. In 2012, the organisation spun away from Yayasan Salam and became its own foundation and had served over 500 children. Today, Dr Hartini can proudly represent over 2,000 children and their families, having equipped them with food, shelter and welfare programmes for children to young adults. The good doctor shares their expansion thus far.

How would you measure Yayasan Chow Kit’s growth since its humble beginnings?

We’ve moved from providing direct services to children in and around Chow Kit, to children in and around Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. From local issues to national issues such as baby dumping and access to education health services, to addressing childhood statelessness, child protection and better case management for children in crisis. We consult with fellow partner NGOs and academics and the government on different issues, too.

In reflection, how has the hard work paid off?

I love that the circle of giving comes back, when the children, now grown up, come back to work with other children at the centre. There’s an understanding of giving back and paying forward, that sense of community. We are also recognised by international organisations, including the United Nations, in our efforts to protect the rights of all children. I know we’re doing right by children when they come to us and go to school, happy and smiling, as opposed to their tearful first days. Social workers and teachers too, are working on each child’s case every week, no child gets left behind.

How will the funds from this charity auction help with your missions?

By strengthening our social services and social workers to work better by the children. Last year, there were 4 social workers who served 2,000 cases — that’s a lot for 4 persons. We have an emergency crisis hotline, and I would personally respond in the middle of the night. We’ve documented proper procedures and proceses for different emergencies and issues, and we’d like to do an outreach again to share our knowledge with communities and organisations.

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Read more about The Melium Group x Malaysia Tatler 30th anniversary charity auction committee members here or see this gallery of all the auction items.